12/12/2007  Happy Valley  Race 8

LADY FIRST was slow to begin. FLY ME TO THE MOON began awkwardly. From a wide barrier, BOLD WIN was taken across behind runners. Making the first turn, LADY FIRST was unable to hold its position when awkwardly placed between FAT DRAGON and FLY ME TO THE MOON. In the early and middle stages, ADD THE FUN travelled wide and without cover. After the 700 Metres, HAPPY GO LUCKY was carried wider by FAT DRAGON which shifted out. Making the turn after the 600 Metres, HAPPY GO LUCKY continued to race wide and without cover, then in the Straight gave ground. At the 200 Metres, HERE WE GO, which was giving ground, was bumped by DASHING THUNDER which improved into a narrow run on its inside. Over the concluding stages, BOLD WIN had difficulty obtaining clear running and therefore was not fully tested. When questioned as to the reason for him shifting to a three wide position at the 600 Metres on FAT DRAGON, M W Leung explained he was instructed to endeavour to improve his position from the turn at the 600 Metres. He said after the 700 Metres he felt HERE WE GO would cross to the lead and SAVUTE would trail that horse. He said because of this he shifted out away from SAVUTE in the belief he would improve his position while travelling two wide. He said making the turn at the 600 Metres HERE WE GO was not able to cross to the fence, therefore he shifted to a three wide position and commenced to ride along as instructed. When questioned, H W Lai (SAVUTE) said he had been instructed to go forward, cross to the fence and endeavour to lead. He said the horse is known to perform best when it is able to see daylight. He said in the early stages he crossed to lead and HERE WE GO travelled to his outside. He said SAVUTE travelled on the bridle until the 900 Metres when HERE WE GO endeavoured to go forward of him and cross to the fence. He said at this stage he commenced to ride along to hold his position and to prevent HERE WE GO crossing to the fence. He said he continued to ride his mount along and making the turn at the 600 Metres SAVUTE became unbalanced when crowded for room inside HERE WE GO which shifted in momentarily when not clear. He said after this he was able to re-establish his position inside HERE WE GO, however, in the Straight SAVUTE gave ground. Mr L Ho, trainer of SAVUTE, confirmed the riding instructions issued. He said he was satisfied with the riding of H W Lai up until the 900 Metres. He said he felt after this H W Lai had made too much use of SAVUTE to maintain a position inside HERE WE GO and in the circumstances would have been better suited allowing that horse to cross to the fence and then to shift to its outside into daylight. H W Lai was severely reprimanded and told his ride after the 900 Metres lacked the initiative expected of a senior rider. The Stewards will afford M Nunes (SOLAR POWER) an opportunity of explaining the poor performance of the horse at the Sha Tin racemeeting next Saturday 15 December 2007. The performance of LADY FIRST, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Mr T W Leung, trainer of LADY FIRST, reported the horse had been galloped on behind. Before being allowed to race again, LADY FIRST will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination.　HAPPY GO LUCKY, SOLAR POWER and LADY FIRST were sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of HAPPY GO LUCKY and LADY FIRST after the race did not show any significant findings. After the race, SOLAR POWER was examined by the Veterinary Officer. He said the horse had sustained a cut to its right hind heel. CHATER SILK and FAT DRAGON were sent for sampling.